Mechanical engineers are responsible for developing ideas and making plans for making things and their parts.
This career offers you an opportunity to make lots of money, it attracts several career advancement opportunities, and the demand for mechanical engineers is impressive worldwide.
However, if you want to switch careers as a mechanical engineer and don’t know how to get started, this post is for you.
It covers a list of alternative mechanical engineering careers that pay very well. You will also discover several valuable frequently asked questions and answers.
Who are Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical engineers fix problems with tools. That includes making plans for, building, and fixing things that move, like robots, cars, and planes.
Experts figure out how to make tools work well and safely.
This is who fixes things when they don’t work right: mechanical experts. It’s up to their creativity and knowledge to keep things running easily.
What are the Alternative Careers For Mechanical Engineers?
1. Mining Engineer:
Engineers who know much about mining make tools the mining industry uses to get valuable metals, gems, and other minerals out of the ground, process them, and move them around.
Additionally, they are involved in the process of locating potential dig sites and in the planning and supervision of quarries for mining.
The average annual income of a mining engineer is about $100,000. It is one of the ideal alternative careers for mechanical engineers.
2. Aerospace Engineer:
Aerospace engineers plan, develop, and construct spacecraft and the hardware on board.
To find out if these spacecraft and instruments are suitable for space exploration, they test them after building them.
In addition to performing these tasks, aerospace engineers may also write procedures, standards, and manuals to help other engineers.
The average annual income for an aerospace engineer is about $100,000.
3. Land-based Engineer:
These engineers develop and manufacture farming, forestry, and gardening tools.
They ensure that devices and apparatus are safe by maintaining and inspecting them.
They have an average annual income of about $65,000. It is one of the best alternative careers for mechanical engineers.
4. Industrial Engineer:
Industrial engineers work to improve the methods used in manufacturing a wide variety of goods.
They build systems of machines, controls, and components to find the most effective ways. Their average annual income is about $75,000.
5. Marine Engineer:
Engineers specializing in marine engineering create the machinery systems and systems used by ships, boats, submarines, and other watercraft.
They frequently collaborate closely with naval architects who create the ships to guarantee a smooth operation and seamless integration of their designs.
The average annual income of a marine engineer is about $80,000.
6. Technical Sales Engineer:
This is one of the best alternative careers for mechanical engineers.
Technical sales engineers conduct needs assessments to determine which items benefit organizations most.
This allows them to advise and sell the products to companies based on their extensive understanding.
Technical sales engineers attend conferences and fairs regularly to keep themselves updated on the latest goods and their technical characteristics.
The average annual income of a technical sales engineer is about $90,000.
7. Construction Engineer:
Building airports, bridges, tunnels, roadways, trains, utility facilities, and countless other types of infrastructure are all part of construction engineers’ work.
They ensure safety measures are in place during construction and then assist with maintaining the infrastructure when it is finished.
The average annual income of a construction engineer is about $40,000.
8. HVAC Engineer:
Engineers specializing in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) consider the preferences of building occupants in designing and installing systems that provide the most comfortable indoor climates.
The average annual income of an HVAC engineer is about $50,000.
9. Water Engineer:
Water engineers are responsible for collecting, storing, cleansing, and dispersing water.
Wastewater treatment and disposal is another area of expertise that they focus on.
In addition to assisting with planning and constructing necessary infrastructure, water engineers also seek solutions to the problems of floods and other water damage.
The average annual income of a water engineer is about $50,000.
10. Maintenance Engineer:
Maintenance engineers are professionals who set up and fix industrial machinery.
When machinery breaks down, they determine whether to repair or replace it.
The average annual income of a maintenance engineer is about $60,000. This is another alternative career for mechanical engineers.
11. CAD Technician:
Using sophisticated computer-aided design software, CAD technicians construct digital 2D and 3D models of buildings, merchandise, etc.
Computerized designs tailored to each customer’s unique needs result from collaborative efforts with other designers, including architects and engineers.
The average annual income of a CAD technician is about $90,000. It is another alternative career for mechanical engineers.
12. Civil Engineer:
Civil engineers design and construct a wide variety of facilities.
Together with clients and companies, they research the area to make sure the buildings will blend in with the existing architecture, and they test the buildings to ensure they work as intended.
The average annual income of a civil engineer is about $90,000.
13. Biomedical Engineer:
Engineers specializing in biomedicine create tools used to diagnose and treat disease. Medical practitioners are also taught how to use this equipment.
The average annual income of a biomedical expert is about $90,000.
14. Materials Engineer:
Microchips, medical equipment, and other items rely on materials developed by materials engineers to work effectively.
These professionals research on and evaluate a wide variety of materials.
Their primary objective is to modify materials to generate novel choices exhibiting enhanced safety, strength, and utility.
The average annual income of a materials engineer is about $95,000.
15. Nuclear Engineer:
A nuclear engineer works on designing, constructing, operating, and monitoring atomic reactors.
They also construct radiation shielding and supervise its use and maintenance to guarantee the safety of people and machinery.
The average annual income of a nuclear engineer is about $95,000. It is another alternative career for mechanical engineers.
16. Electrical Engineer:
Electrical engineers are responsible for the design and construction of electrical equipment.
This includes systems for communication and navigation as well as electric motors, radar, and various home appliances.
These products and systems are frequently also evaluated and maintained by them. The average annual income of an electrical engineer is about $95,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Alternative Careers for Mechanical Engineers
It’s not easy to switch from mechanical engineering to information technology, but the return is huge. Taking stock of your current situation, getting relevant licenses, learning useful new skills, making the most of your transferable skills, networking, building a portfolio, and interning are all things that can help you reach your goal.
Mechanical engineers can look forward to a bright future in fields including renewable energy, nanotechnology, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, robots and automation, and renewable energy.
Fluid dynamics, controls/vibrations, and thermodynamics are the three most challenging courses in mechanical engineering.
Those working in R&D, sales & marketing, mechanical design, solar/renewable energy, mechanical system design, and robotics & automation earn the highest salaries among mechanical engineers.
There is a significant need for mechanical engineers in Switzerland because of the country’s status as one of the most prosperous in the world.
Conclusion
Mechanical engineering is one of the best careers in the world.
However, if you desire to make a career switch as a mechanical engineer for any reason, this article has only provided you with a list of alternative cars.
Before making a choice, you must consider your interests and qualifications.
Doing your research, devising an action plan, and establishing industry connections are a few tips that will enable you to complete a seamless career transition.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
Editor’s Recommendations:
- Is Business Services a Good Career Path? (FAQs)
- Is Technology a Good Career Path? (Meaning, Jobs, Benefits)
- Acquisition vs. Procurement (Meaning, Types, Sim & Diff)
- Audio Engineering Degree (Meaning, benefits, length)
If you find this article good, please share it with a friend.
